Ashfield District Council marked Transgender Day of Remembrance on Friday (November 20) by raising a flag outside the Kirkby offices.

Coun Glenys Maxwel, the chairman of the council, was joined by Sophie Whitehead, the anti-bullying officer at Lincolnshire County Council, Gloria De Piero MP and council leader, Coun Cheryl Butler, to raise the flag as a mark of remembrance of people who have been killed due to trans-gender hatred and prejudice.

Coun Butler said: “It is a first for this authority – indeed I believe Ashfield is the only district council in Nottinghamshire where this day is being marked.

“I think it gives a very strong message about how serious we are about promoting tolerance and equality in the district.”

Gloria said: “When almost half of trans young people have tried to take their own life, when individuals still face hounding and public humiliation in the media, we still have a long way to go as society.